Fort Pierce special magistrate orders repairs, fines and deadlines in multiple code-enforcement cases

Special Magistrate Jamie Barrow on Feb. 12 found violations and issued orders in a series of Fort Pierce code-enforcement and citation cases, imposing time-limited compliance deadlines and daily fines for failure to act.

Barrow opened the session with routine hearing instructions and then heard cases presented by City of Fort Pierce code-enforcement staff, including Charmaine Kirkland, Heather De Bevec and Mr. Saucedo. For each case the city submitted photographs and notices of violation; respondents and property representatives were given an opportunity to speak before the magistrate issued orders.

Among the rulings, the magistrate ordered Carlos Brown, owner of 1054 Trinidad Avenue (case CE2024-62), to pressure-wash or paint areas of chipping, mold or deterioration within 10 days. "This court finds that a violation exists," Barrow said, and warned that failure to comply would result in a $100-per-day fine.

In a separate case (CE2020-5128) involving Showtime Customs at 225 S. U.S. Highway 1, owner Miguel Angel Ruiz Jr. told the magistrate he had begun applying for a required certificate of use and had visited the city clerk’s office. Barrow granted the business 30 days to obtain the certificate or cease operations and ordered that failure to comply would trigger a $250-per-day fine and suspension of utility services under city ordinance section 22-28. Ruiz said he had submitted paperwork and was following the clerk’s office process.

At 1132 Avenue D (CE2024-115), the Lincoln Theater (owned by Martin L. King Jr. ComCom Inc.) and theater committee representatives said recent work had…